Ronan by Clinet, Bordeaux 2018

"Made by Château Clinet of Pomerol, but from Right Bank vineyards outside of the appellation, this Merlot-based wine is another I've enjoyed in various vintages. There's a smooth and plush plum and chocolate character on the nose, dark and touched by espresso. It's all about swirling darkness really, but there are delightful little perfumed violet hints. On the palate the creamy, suave depth of the black fruit cashes the cheque promised by the nose: crushed black berries, a meaty and charry edge but well into the background, and a lovely support from the quite richly-framed tannins and acidity. Well-priced. Watch the video for more information."

"The prices of Bordeaux's elite have spiralled beyond the reach of most mere mortals over the past two decades. Even last year, when Covid-19-led economic uncertainty led to an average 21% drop in prices of the generally very good 2019 vintage, you're looking at several hundred quid a bottle for the biggest most in-demand names. Those wines are, to all intents and purposes, investment vehicles now rather than drinks, and theres something powerfully odd and sad in the idea of all those thousands of bottles of superlative wine sitting in cellars accumulating value rather than being poured and causing delight to drinkers. The closest most ordinary wine lovers come to the Bordeaux top table these days is by sampling their diffusion lines, with Ronan from the team that makes Château Clinet, one of the leading estates in Pomerol in Bordeaux's Right Bank area, a satisfying 100% merlot snapshot of that estates sumptuous house style."